Coach Kerrie Beach felt the gymnastics team needed to struggle a bit before they could learn just how good they could be.
Working through the struggle has made them a stronger team, and it was evident on Friday as they beat Western Michigan, 192.975-191.660, recording a season-high team score in front of a home crowd at Anderson Arena.
The Falcons were led by junior Breanne Guy as she posted a career high score of 39.175, giving them a record of 2-4 overall and 2-3 in the Mid-American Conference.
“Bre [Guy] has had a little bit of the injury bug early in the season,” assistant coach Craig Ballard said. “Being able to get healthy, practice and get her confidence back has been huge.
“She’s as good as anyone in our league, and I’d feel great about matching her up with anyone from around the country.”
The team started off the meet on the vault and took two of the top-three finishes. Guy scored a 9.800, giving her a first place finish and senior Jenna Wirtanen was right behind her, landing a 9.750 and a second place finish.
Next in the rotation were the uneven bars where BG scored a season high 48.400, taking all three top finishes. Guy scored a career high 9.825, resulting in first place. Right behind her were teammates Kasey Fillmore and Amber Brewer, both scoring a 9.725 and tying for a second place finish.
The third rotation brought the Falcons to the balance beam. For the third straight event, Guy won first place with a score of 9.775 – her first win on beam this season. Senior Katie Follett had a season high 9.675, giving her a fifth place finish.
The Falcons finished the meet on the floor where they recorded a season high 48.375. Again, Guy led the team with a season high 9.775, falling just short of the first place finish.
For BG, really focusing on tiny details from here on out is essential.
“We could have scored higher on vault and there are small changes that need to continue to be made in competition,” Beach said. “We need to stick more landings, count no falls, stay in bound on floor and really focus on every tiny detail.”
On Sunday at 2 p.m., Ohio State will travel to Anderson Arena to take on BG in their final home meet of the year.
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Contact sports reporter Chris Sojka at [email protected].
